LOCAL SALUTE

Changing Lives

Symbiotic cell mates

Susan JacobsMeadows (center) with recent Canine CellMates graduates.

Dogs have always played a big role in Susan Jacobs-Meadows’ life, so the idea of starting a program that paired rescue dogs with prisoners intrigued her. “When an employee at the Fulton County Jail asked if I would help find small business owners interested in hiring former prisoners, I used my favor [he offered me in return] to ask for help setting up a program.”

Canine CellMates, created to help break the cycle of reincarceration, became a reality in 2013. Both the dogs and the inmates are carefully vetted to make sure they are compatible living together in jail. Support for the prisoners continues once they are released.

In May 2021, the organization launched Beyond the Bars, a preindictment diversion program offering a sentencing alternative. Instead of spending time in jail awaiting sentencing, those approved can attend the one-year program, learning how to train dogs, as well as life skills. Their charges are reassigned or adopted once they complete the program. “As far as we know, it is one of the first of its kind in the U.S.,” Jacobs-Meadows says.

A volunteer since inception, Joan Holladay of Dunwoody has participated in every aspect of both programs. “The dogs are wonderful,” she says, “but I stay to help affect change in the men.” Participants in both programs study conflict resolution, parenting, financial literacy, “staying out of jail 101” and more. “During the year, we search for permanent homes for the dogs,” says Jacobs-Meadows. Adopters can meet their dogs and the prisoners at graduation, often the first time in a prisoner’s life he has been recognized for doing something positive.”

For more information, visit caninecellmates.org.

Polly Simpson, Wick Garrard, homeowner Destiney C., Elizabeth Spears and Susan Boyd at the 2016 Women's Build.

Woman Power

Honoring a volunteer

The late Polly Simpson was passionate about women’s and kid’s issues, particularly Habitat for Humanity, where she was a co-founder of the Atlanta Habitat Women’s Build. In December, the group raised a recording-setting $140,000 to construct a home in her memory. A small portion came from corporate sponsors, but the bulk was from family, friends and colleagues who worked with Simpson at Habitat or her other pet projects, The Georgia Council on Child Abuse, Inc. and the Atlanta Women’s Foundation.

According to her daughters, Elizabeth Spears and Catherine Simpson, their mother would have been thrilled. A donor since 2001, Simpson served Habitat in a number of capacities, including on the board of directors and the advisory council. In 2016, she was presented with the Golden Hammer for her years of service.

Spears and Catherine Simpson, who volunteered at their mother’s side and served in leadership roles, helped raise $80,000 from family and friends for the first build in 2003. “Eighteen years and 18 houses later, we’re still growing,” says Spears.

They were among the 175 women who worked for eight weeks on the four-bedroom, two-bath house alongside homebuyer Shandreeka Ball.

“Mom would want to be remembered for her dedication to her family,” says Catherine Simpson, owner of Catherine’s Auto Repair in Buckhead. “That’s what she cared about most.”

For more information, visit atlantahabitat.org.

Diaper Dilemma

Fulfilling critical needs

When Jaycina Almond got pregnant at age 20, she was working at AmericasMart, had no car, shared an apartment with two roommates and couldn’t afford the specialists she needed for her high-risk pregnancy. Fortunately, her baby’s father stepped up and helped with medical and living expenses.

“Other single women aren’t so lucky,” says Almond, a professional model who launched a GoFundMe campaign in 2019 from her Brookhaven apartment with the hopes of raising $25,000 to start an organization to provide needy moms with emergency assistance for rent, utilities, food gift cards and diapers. The total topped six figures, and The Tender Foundation and Diaper Bank was launched in 2019 and up and running in 2020, serving women in the Atlanta metro community. COVID-19 further exacerbated the need for help. The women are carefully vetted for financial assistance, but the Diaper Bank has no eligibility requirements.

“Mothers are often forced to stretch their supply by changing less often or even reusing diapers,” Almond says. “Neither is a healthy option. Plus, daycare centers require parents to provide up to 10 diapers a day for infants.”

Last year, a homeless woman with a young son asked for help with her first month’s rent for an apartment. “She had saved enough for the deposit but couldn’t move in without financial aid,” says Almond. “We were able to provide the stability she needed, and she has never had to ask again.”

The organization relies completely on donations from both individuals and corporate sponsors.

Jaycina Almond is on a mission to deliver baby supplies.

For more information, visit thetenderfoundation.com.